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The Role of Predators in Naturally Controlling Goose Numbers

May 28, 2025 | By: Goose Masters

Canada Geese Population in North America

Canada geese have consistently grown in population throughout the last few decades. As they run rampant across North America their populations have grown out of control. It is common for geese to feel safe in areas populated by humans with less natural predators living in the area. Goose Masters works with clients to supplement the lack of natural predators and humanely scares them away from your property. As professionals we utilize effective techniques in order to ensure the best results. 

Displacement of Natural Predators

While geese often thrive in urban landscapes, many of their natural predators have become more scarce, and some have migrated away from areas inhabited by humans. As metropolitan cities and urban environments in the United States have grown in numbers, geese have found unique ways to adapt. In some ways, Canada geese have even found they thrive in these environments. Geese are known to seek out areas with large open spaces, bodies of water, and food. Many populated areas have recreation facilities and landscaping that provide a desirable place for geese to live. 

Large residential neighborhoods, golf courses, university campuses, parks and recreational areas, business campuses, and even some commercial developments offer ideal environments. While geese are still impacted by displacement, they adapt and make the best of the situation. Oftentimes, people will even feed the geese they see, providing an even bigger reason for them to stick around. 

Because urban environments aren’t as desirable for some wildlife, geese have found they are safer around humans. Foxes, coyotes, and birds of prey aren’t as common in areas with a higher human population. This displacement creates an even greater reason for the geese to stick around. With a lack of predators, some Canada geese become so comfortable that we see it reducing their motivation for migration altogether. 

Common Predators for Canada Geese

Canada geese are well known for their aggressive behavior. This is especially true when someone is near their nest. They become significantly more aggressive when they feel their eggs are in danger. In more extreme cases, Canada geese are even able to break a human bone. Young geese are much easier for a predator to catch and kill, but as a goose matures, they are more likely to fight back against a predator. A gaggle of geese will protect each other and every nest in the area, making the work of their predators more difficult. Higher numbers of geese in a gaggle typically mean the birds are safe. 

Raccoons are one of the most common predators in urban areas. Like geese, raccoons have adapted well to urbanization and have found their way to thrive. Raccoons love raiding nests and stealing goose eggs, often sneakily at night. Foxes have also done a fair job adapting to the rising population of humans in urban areas and are still the greatest risk for geese. They love goose eggs, young geese, and will even kill fully grown geese. Coyotes will hunt at any point of the day and will typically go for goose eggs. Owls, eagles, and hawks all pose a significant risk to geese. Without warning, one of these large birds can dive down and snag a young goose. 

Humane & Safe Geese Control

With the continuously growing goose numbers, we have seen an increase in devices and gimmick products that claim to scare geese away. You will see products like a fake fox, alligator, snake, or owl to place near the water, motion-activated lights, or sound-emitting products, all designed to scare geese away. Some even use chemicals to prevent geese from entering their property, but this is typically only used for large-scale commercial applications, like at an airport. Most of these products provide little to no help convincing geese to move to a new location. Some of these gimmicks work temporarily, but geese are very stubborn birds and aren’t likely to move unless they are afraid of a dangerous predator. 

The most effective techniques for goose management are to scare them and make them feel a natural predator is hunting them. Because Canada geese are stubborn and defensive of their nests, this technique should be implemented before they nest or lay eggs. 

Making the birds feel they are being hunted is a humane and safe way to try to convince them to relocate. A goose wants to feel safe and have resources available to them, and if they are scared enough, their relocation isn’t out of the question. With our humane goose management techniques, we scare the birds into fleeing from the property. 

Why Our Methods Are Best

Goose Masters uses a technique to control geese that is both humane and effective. We have highly trained Border Collies that work to discourage geese from staying in the area or nesting. We commonly work with clients who own or manage parks, recreation areas, golf courses, real estate property, and other wide open areas that geese find attractive. 

Because geese become acutely aware of predators in their environment and the safety risks they can be dissuaded from staying in certain areas. With our Border Collies, we simulate a hunting experience that makes the geese feel unsafe. No harm ever comes to the geese, but their natural instincts can cause them to flee the area.

Don't Hesitate to Act Early

While every situation we encounter is unique, it is best to start this process before nesting season. By starting earlier in the season, we are reducing the likelihood that geese will nest on your property and stay there for a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks during incubation. With each customer and each property, we create personalized schedules to ensure we provide the right amount of attention to the problem. In some situations, we can visit the property multiple times per day to curb the behavior of the Canada geese and convince them to leave. If property owners hesitate to handle the problem, it will grow over time and become worse. Geese may even take a strong liking to the area and continue migrating year after year back to the same spot. 

The Ins-and-Outs of Hunting Geese

In the United States, Canada geese are protected by federal law. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibits anyone from harming Canada geese in any way. This protection includes not only geese but also their eggs and nests. There are strict rules regarding the hunting of these birds, and you must first receive a permit. Because Canada geese are protected wildlife, they can be difficult to manage, especially with their growing population. 

Natural predators of geese typically hunt at night, though some predators don’t have a preference. At night, geese find it more difficult to protect themselves, especially when they are protecting a nest or their goslings. Their vision isn’t as useful during the night, so most predators find hunting them easier in the dark. 

Geese are creatures of comfort, especially geese that have found habitats in urban environments that provide many of their needed resources. Geese will flock to environments that offer food, water, and safety. When geese are scared by predators, they are more likely to relocate, especially if they haven’t yet built a nest or laid eggs. When geese are hunted, their natural instincts are triggered, and they will prioritize safety over simple comforts. This is why you will often see geese residing in similar places regardless of what region of the world they’re in. To avoid being hunted, geese seek out wide open spaces near bodies of water so they can easily detect predators before they can attack. 

Find Relief with Goose Masters Canada Goose Control

The team at Goose Masters is dedicated to helping clients control the goose gaggles that reside on their properties. We work to reduce the chance of aggressive behavior, reduce goose waste pollution, protect your grass and plants, and help train them to stay away. With our humane control techniques, we offer a service that is more effective than common gimmicks. It’s our goal to bring peace of mind to our clients regardless of how bad the situation has become. If geese are starting to become a nuisance, have Goose Masters come out sooner or later to assess the problem. To learn more about our services, reach out to Goose Masters and speak with one of our professional Border Collie handlers and geese experts. 

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